I've had this thought for a long time that it was my church's job to pull me into the church as much as possible. I waited on them to create church events where I could be with them and build connection with them. I needed the church to express all the intentionality in relationship toward me because my relationship energy was intentionally spent on bringing spiritual sojourners into space with me.
In the space I shared with these spiritual sojourners, cool things were happening. They were blessing me and I was blessing them. It was great for me individually to see God expand the church (by giving people eternal life, even if they never attended services). I didn't want to work alone, so I depended on the church community to pull me into their world so that I could merge where I was with the sphere for which I was filled with passion.
Yes my sphere in the world was getting "the church" from me individually as I am a part of Christ, but I knew they weren't knowing the blessing of the church as a family so they could see their own identity in God's grace toward them. Sharing the gospel of course was most important. Church community was always the secondary sell, not always as successful. That left me feeling like I was always working mostly alone. I was sad. I didn't know how to say in words that I felt neglected. If sojourners never made it all the way to church community, I just didn't see how I would ever get to enjoy fellowship at church without simultaneously downplaying the great commission. It's a catch-22.
Now I think differently.
I was wrong. The church community can be just as much invited into my space as my sphere. Then wherever I am, the church community is also but much more naturally than scheduled church community events.
Why did I think the two spheres are separate?? They in no way have to be. I guess it's just another consequence of thinking about the church as a location (the church is a building) instead of thinking of the church only as God's people (the church is believers wherever they are).
Seven months is how long it took to apply it personally. I have been nodding my head at PAX all this time but now this really faulty thinking is starting to crack. And I feel much better. It's so much more simple now. And a lot less painful. I don't need to be pulled, I only need to invite. I still flop like a fish a bit when I'm at PAX. There's a lot of crusty thinking I've built up from years of not feeling sufficiently pulled. I think I'm gaining critical mass.
I hope that if you're like me and you love to reach your world for Christ, you will feel helped by this testimony.
In the space I shared with these spiritual sojourners, cool things were happening. They were blessing me and I was blessing them. It was great for me individually to see God expand the church (by giving people eternal life, even if they never attended services). I didn't want to work alone, so I depended on the church community to pull me into their world so that I could merge where I was with the sphere for which I was filled with passion.
 |
| come on, church community, pull! |
Yes my sphere in the world was getting "the church" from me individually as I am a part of Christ, but I knew they weren't knowing the blessing of the church as a family so they could see their own identity in God's grace toward them. Sharing the gospel of course was most important. Church community was always the secondary sell, not always as successful. That left me feeling like I was always working mostly alone. I was sad. I didn't know how to say in words that I felt neglected. If sojourners never made it all the way to church community, I just didn't see how I would ever get to enjoy fellowship at church without simultaneously downplaying the great commission. It's a catch-22.
Now I think differently.
I was wrong. The church community can be just as much invited into my space as my sphere. Then wherever I am, the church community is also but much more naturally than scheduled church community events.
Why did I think the two spheres are separate?? They in no way have to be. I guess it's just another consequence of thinking about the church as a location (the church is a building) instead of thinking of the church only as God's people (the church is believers wherever they are).
Seven months is how long it took to apply it personally. I have been nodding my head at PAX all this time but now this really faulty thinking is starting to crack. And I feel much better. It's so much more simple now. And a lot less painful. I don't need to be pulled, I only need to invite. I still flop like a fish a bit when I'm at PAX. There's a lot of crusty thinking I've built up from years of not feeling sufficiently pulled. I think I'm gaining critical mass.
I hope that if you're like me and you love to reach your world for Christ, you will feel helped by this testimony.
2 comments:
Michelle, it is very encouraging to see how God is continuing to shape you ... And you allowing God to do it. Remember, this is messy, because of our misunderstanding if God ... But as he continuously reveals more of himself and his will, and we bend to it,we come out in the right story line.
Thank you, deut-x. Now I can see community differently and enjoy it with light years' improvement. It's so weird. I have been oddly stuck for so long....
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